How to Respond to messages on Apple Watch
1 The options
At the bottom of a conversation, you’ll see these options for responding: the mic is for dictation, the emoji gives you image options, the heart beat option we’ll skip, and the Scribble button lets you handwrite a response.
2 Quick responses
If you scroll past those options, you’ll see some pre–populated potential answers. If someone’s asked you a question, the app acknowledges it with some simple answers. Otherwise, one of the generic missives given may work.
3 Emoji responses
Tap the ‘smiley face’ button to get into the emoji options. Even if you’re not usually an emoji person, they’re a great way to send a quick response. There are five ways to send emoji, and you swipe to switch between them.
4 Handwritten messages
If you’ve created handwritten messages on your iPhone (which animate when they appear to people), they’re on the first screen of the five. Messages offers common handwritten phrases here too.
5 Standard emoji
The second screen of the five options shows your standard emojis. When it opens, it shows those you use often. Scroll down to go through a full list, or up to see shortcuts to different categories. Tap an emoji to send it.
6 Animated options
The three screens to the right of the standard emoji set are animated emojis, showing variations on a face, heart, and hand. Scroll on each one to see the different animations they offer. Again, tap an emoji to send it.
7 Dictate your reply
Go back to the previous screen. Tap the mic button here to dictate your message. As soon as you tap, it starts listening, and the words appear on the screen as it recognizes them. Tap Send at the top right when you’re done.
8 Expert dictation
To make your messages a little smarter, remember that you can give instructions for any punctuation you want: so you can just say “comma” or “question mark” or whatever you like, and even add a “smiley face”.
9 Scribble to type
Alternatively, tap Scribble to bring up a square on the screen, in which you can write the letters of your message one at a time, including punctuation. There is a space button and a delete button at the bottom of the screen.
10 Scribbling tips
If you misspell a word, tap it to highlight it, then turn the Digital Crown to go through autocorrect suggestions. You can also tap to move the cursor and insert words (swipe in the message to scroll through it).
11 Like this
Remember how you can respond to an iMessage on iPhone with a simple thumbs up, or a ‘Ha ha’ and other options? That’s available on Watch too. Hold a finger on a message (but don’t press firmly) to bring up this menu.
12 Send your location
Okay, now we will press firmly on a conversation. If someone’s suggested meeting up, tap Send Location to share where you’re at immediately with that contact. They’ll get a mini map link, which they can open in the Maps app.